Sermons on Self Willed:

Burned: Destroyed By Desire Series

Contributed by Kyle Idleman on Sep 27, 2010

A sermon from a series on the treachery of sexual sin.

Do you have one of these in your backyard? It’s a fire pit. They’ve become pretty popular in the last number of years. We have one in our backyard … or we did have. It’s actually here now. (Laughter) My wife after the service last weekend … she was like, “I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Deadly Virus

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 3, 2010

Sin is not excused by good works, and unrepentant self-indulgence is destructive. Sexual integrity is not just a private matter; how we handle it will determine what happens with our church.

This has the potential for being the shortest sermon I’ve ever done. At first glance, it seems all I need to do with this text is to praise the church for doing so well, declare myself to be against sin, and wrap it up. The shortest sermon I’ve ever done, and maybe the shortest on record! Anybody ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

They Prayed

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Oct 22, 2010

Our prayers should be that of the Publican

Text: “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Do you know anyone who has a tendency to exalt himself or herself? Those people who are always praising themselves, applauding themselves or paying tribute to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Black And White Redeemed Together

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 7, 2010

For Black History Month: We will not be fully redeemed until both black and white understand the elements of self-hatred that are in us and see that we have a Redeemer who will remove those feelings.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC February 2, 1986 When you read the book of Job and read it carefully, when you really let it sink in to you what happened to this suffering man and what he had to say about it, you cannot help concluding that what is most frightening about Job is his ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Sound Mind!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Sep 16, 2015

A sound mind is not wishy-washy or spineless but makes bold decisions based on strength received from God.

HANDS OFF THE PANIC BUTTON PLEASE! 2 Timothy 1:7”…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and sound mind.” When problems arise, the knee-jerk reaction of people is panic! Take your hands off the panic button please! Listen! ‘What if’ is a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pray Humbly

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Oct 21, 2019

if we pray with an open heart, it will be heard and we will be forgiven

Last week we heard about the persistent widow, who by constantly praying and badgering an unjust judge, got the justice she deserved. And we were reminded that because of God’s love for us we can pray for justice in our own lives and it will be delivered. Today we heard another scripture that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Episcopal

Political Signs, Rain Lilies And The Vineyard Labor Reward Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 13, 2020

We need to subject all our political opinions an conversation to the continuing need for repentance called to us by Scripture.

25th Sunday in Course 2020 It’s seems like the political yard signs this election cycle have been cropping up for two years, like the rain lilies that sprout overnight after a heavy downpour. If your convictions about the relevance of your faith to society have made you politically aware and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-9, Philippians 1:20-27, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Catholic

A "persian Flaw": How Peter (And The Rest Of Us) Need To Learn To Forgive Ourselves

Contributed by Jessica Linde on Aug 29, 2024

Looking at the example of Peter and his denial of Jesus, this sermon's ultimate message is that God has long since already forgiven us of our mistakes, so now it's time that we forgive ourselves.

When I was conversing with colleagues earlier this week about the theme of today’s service, I was reminded of an idiom that we have in the English language: for something to be a “Persian flaw”. Have any of you heard this idiom before? Right… okay. A couple of you. It’s one that isn’t as common ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:33-35, John 21:15-22

The Days Vanish Like Smoke

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 20, 2022

The young make mistakes, and if they don’t have a strong and self-controlled father figure in their lives, they often make rash decisions and hurt themselves and others in the act.

Saturday of the 25th Week in Course 2022 When we read this portion of the Wisdom book of Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes, it is always wise itself to remember who is writing it to whom. The “preacher,” Qoheleth in Hebrew, is a wise man of advanced years. The reader or listener is redundantly called, “O ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:43-45, Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

Lent Homily

Contributed by Z. M. D. Mcgregor on Feb 23, 2015

The following is a 15 minute homily delivered on Feb. 18, 2015, Ash Wednesday at the Church Without Walls, Houston, TX, in the kickoff observance of Lent.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Rom 12:1 NAU) I. Reflection: The Christ in Action Our symptoms revealed it. The diagnosis defined it. From vain thoughts to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Baptist

Free Not To Be Me

Contributed by David Roth on Mar 21, 2015

Lent 5 (B). Christ gave his life as a ransom, freeing us not only from sin, but from our own flesh and the power of the devil. We are now free to serve others, as we live under Him in His kingdom.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Free not to be me” Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. And as they are walking, He is telling them about His upcoming ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Peace & Persecution

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Aug 28, 2019

Are you comfortable in being a follower of Christ? Countless Christians around the world face intense persecution for being followers of Jesus, but they're not alone. We share in the struggles of being a Christian. Why is that? Listen to Jesus' call to deny yourself and follow him.

Each year, a Christian organization called “Open Doors” publishes a list of the top 50 countries where Christians are most intensely persecuted for their faith. Physical violence, death threats, execution, imprisonment, rape, neglect, burning of homes, bombing of churches, abandoned by family, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Jonathan Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Nov 25, 2022

In an era of cancel culture and the quest to remain in power at all cost, the story of Jonathan is worth knowing about.

November 26, 2022 We know virtually nothing about Jonathan. He was the oldest son of Saul and Ahinoam and next in line for the throne of Israel. The Bible does not tell us if he was married, but we are told that he had a son, Mephibosheth, who was 5 years old when Jonathen was killed on Mt. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:3-4, 1 Samuel 23:14-18

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

"greater Works Or Great Excuses"

Contributed by Anthony (Tony) Charles on Aug 17, 2025

Jesus promised believers would do greater works than He did, but instead of operating in God's power, we've substituted excuses for the supernatural works we're called to perform.

GREATER WORKS or GREAT EXCUSES Text: John 14:12 – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they ...read more

Scripture: John 14:12, Mark 16:17, Matthew 10:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Are Chosen Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

We are chosen by God to be His special people, set apart to proclaim His goodness to those in darkness.

Peter says we're chosen by God, and we're His. That's a promise from way back that still counts today. You're not just some random kid; you're God's kid. You're not just some random kid; you're God's kid. Peter dares us to live like we mean it. Actions speak louder than words, and people are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Topics: Spiritual Identity, Divine Adoption, Christ's Love, Biblical Self-Image